hospital in los angeles for $5 billion or part of the water front former military base in san francisco. both cases, politicians said no. they want to make sure they are taken care of. sometimes it gets in way of what is best for the nation. >> federal government is america biggest landlord. selling 20% of the empty or underperforming buildings would save $2 billion. you go through and clear it out. it's a matter of scale. defense refused to sell valuable public land adjacent to fast-growing city. without charging royalties like we do for oil and natural gas. selling amtrak could net $60 billion. the tennessee authority and the power would bring in more. commission could oversee the sale to overcome partisan opposition. >> the commission could look at all the federal assets. decide which were the most valuable. which could be sold with the least loss to common good. >> the federal government owns 28% of the land in the u.s.. $500 billion in mineral right. the tax foundation calls selling unused asset and empty buildings one of the least worst options of raising cash. experts admit yard